Assignment: Sleepwalking

MamaKat has handed out her assignments for the week, and from the list I am choosing to tell you a sleepwalking story.

I have never really walked in my sleep. That I know of. My daughter, however, has. It is freaky.

To be honest, I don't think she has had an 'episode' in a while, that I have noticed.

Several years ago, my oldest daughter, who is now 12, but was probably under the age of 9, really had us worried. I swear I thought she would unlock the door and go outside or something. Not long after she would go to sleep, she would get up, eyes wide open and come and stand at my bed. Just stand there. That's it. She would not respond to anything we said to her except to somewhat be listening and go back and lay down and go right back to sleep, having no recollection of her behaviour the next day.

There were times that she would come into our bedroom, stand beside the bed and then turn around and go back into the living room and sit in the chair and just look straight ahead. Finally, after a few seconds of telling her to go back to bed, she would get up and go. Creepy!

One particular night, she fell asleep in the living room and I heard her get up to go into her bedroom. She went to her bed, pulled down her underwear and sat on the bed. Like she needed to use the bathroom! I asked her if she needed to 'go' and she nodded her head, so I told her to go the bathroom. She did and then went back and laid down and went to sleep. The next day, she did not remember having done it. She thought it was hilarious.

After some research on the subject, I actually found that it is more common in boys. What causes a person to sleepwalk is some sort of chemical that we all have in our brain, but the person who walks in their sleep, actually has too much of that same chemical. Interesting.

Luckily, she seems to maybe have outgrown it because I have not witnessed any strange night time behaviour from her lately. The teen years are right around the corner though. Yikes!

Over The Rainbow...Somewhere

Growing up in the day and age that I did, there was no such thing as DVD's or cable television. My parents did not buy a VCR until I was in junior high. So in order to watch my favorite movie, The Wizard of OZ, we had to wait until that once yearly viewing of it. Nowadays I believe it plays pretty often on most cable channels.

My sister and I would stay up and watch it every year and I remember celebrating every time the announcement would come up that it was going to air soon. Usually on a Friday night. Being, both of us, the chickens that we were, some parts of the show scared the crap out of us. This being one of them:





I think I have had more nightmares in my lifetime over that darn wicked witch saying that she was going to "get you and your little dog too", than any other.

Now this next snippet used to crack. us. up! We still make fun of this little scene today:





And who can forget the "I'm Melting"....love this scene:




The whole meaning and message of the movie still follows me to this day. The "No Place Like Home" and wanting to find courage, and most times a brain! However I don't think anything strikes a chord with me more than this song:




So this song is how I feel lately, trying to find my 'somewhere' over the rainbow. The happiness and position in the world that I belong in. Is it just a 'tale' like The Wizard of Oz, or is there such a place?

Tell me what character is your favorite and the scene you enjoy the most. I know everyone has one......

Where Can I Go?

Do you ever have one of those days (or in my case, many days) when you just want to run away?

I am not talking about going for a drive and coming home in a couple hours. Nor do I mean going off and spending the day somewhere, returning later.

What I mean is, going far far away and never coming back! Away from the drama, the chaos, the sad feelings, the not knowing where your life is going from one day to the next....

That is how I have felt these last few days. I guess with school coming to a close, and the stress of getting the girls from point A to point B numerous times in one day and yet again spending a holiday weekend alone, has really put me in a somber, if not depressing state.

Two weeks from now I will be in Destin, Florida. I can not wait and I hope things are different when we get back......

OUR Winner!

We are sad!

However, the true winner will be victorious when record sales, success and longevity prove it!

We love you Adam Lambert, no matter what!

New Digs ..

Welcome to my new and improved, redecorated and re-arranged bloggin-pad!
I have to send a shout out to April of April Showers Blog Design for my new look.



Thanks so much, April. You are the bomb, girl! Go on over and check out all of her wonderful work.

Oh and before I forget, look to your left...yeah, over there to your left, at the top. That is my button. Grab her and take her home to your pad and wear her proudly for me! Thanks!






(How cute is this signature?? Thanks again, April!)

Musical Monday~American Idol

Ever since I was a young girl I have loved hard rock music and the guys in the band. The big hair bands of the 80's with their eye liner and black clothes. The sultry stares and pouty lips as they flirted with the camera in their videos. So it's no wonder that this year's American Idol contender, Adam Lambert, is the one I am voting for! To me he has the whole package....the voice, the charisma, the charm, the ability to entertain and woo the audience. So this weeks Musical Monday song is one of my faves that he did. Black and White by Michael Jackson. And do me a favor, please. If you do not like Adam, then kindly do not comment here slamming him. Thanks!

So Proud...

Before I began my PhotoBlog, I used this one to make weekly entries to iHeartFaces, a photo site that focuses on what else, Faces.

This past weeks theme was "Laughter" and I submitted this photo of my niece:

I am so thrilled and excited to say that out of close to 500 entries, my photo came in THIRD!!

Go HERE to see for yourself!

Doing the Happy Dance!

Life's Little Complications

As most of you who read my blog know, I am divorced. The story of how that came to be can be found HERE HERE and HERE with the ending HERE. However, is there an ending? I don't think so. Honestly, I think it will never end and I hesitated to write this on my blog, but it is a form of therapy for me.



From where I stand, divorce is hard. I swear to you, I would never wish it on the most horrible of people. They say it is like a death and to me, it is so much more traumatic. Starting over is another story in itself.



Approximately 8 months after my separation from my ex, I met my Sweetie and we have been together ever since. Two years have gone by and I swear to you, nobody on this earth has loved me, nor conveyed it to me, in a better way than he has. I can not complain about that one single bit. It's the other things in our relationship that I have issues with. He has no issues, problems or complaints whatsoever, but unfortunately, I do!

Obviously, these issues are not ones that can not be fixed. I know they can be and I thrive every day to work on that. Part of the main problem is me! I have a hard time with trust, yet I have never been given a reason not to trust. (this particular man, anyway) I have problems with long term commitment, such as marriage, which is something that he talks about frequently. I feel as though, if I put myself in a particular situation, I will not be able to get out of it. (Not that I would want or need to, just something that eats at the back of my mind!)

All of the minor details eat at me everyday and I can't let them go. I have always been told to 'not sweat the small stuff', yet the small stuff is what is killing me.

With divorce and starting over (at this age particularly) comes a whole different experience than when you are younger and start dating someone new. There are now other people in the picture. As in children and a former spouse. My ex husband pretty much stays out of my business and seems to like my sweetie. He has been told nothing but good things about him by our girls, who love their daddy to pieces and adore my sweetie more than I ever dreamed they would.

Sweetie's ex wife, however, is a real pain and I am not just saying that. For the most part, she stays to herself, but she does not work, depends on her dad to support her financially and is always looking for a handout. There have been certain issues that have come up with their kids ( a boy and girl) that are really hard to deal with and I do not choose to be a part of, but do put in my two cents about. (Which I am very good at, I might add) When it is his weekend to have his children, sweetie goes back to his house for the weekend and spends his time there with them. Part of the reason for that is because I wanted it that way after countless drama-fests that included me wanting to rip every one's head off. Seriously!

So with that, comes a little less time that we get to spend together. Although he stays with me during the week, we do not get much one on one alone time, due to the fact that I cook, clean, do chores and run back and forth to the ballpark all week. Once we go to bed at night, one or both of us is usually immediately passed out.

Because of my ex's horrid work schedule, he has not had many weekends off, therefore the girls do not get to see their dad much (even though they talk to him on the phone several times a day). Which leaves my sweetie's free weekend to be with me also spending it with my kids. Again, no alone time. Honestly, this is not something that can not be changed. I know that I could get a sitter for the girls, but because I do not have many options in that department, it is usually a no go.

Relationships are hard enough to manage on your own, but when other people are involved, issues that you have no control over pop up here and there, and the time to really work on them is not available to you, it is even harder. I have been seeing a therapist on a regular basis, but I think he has only begun to chip the tip of the iceberg on things for me. He has reassured me that the reason my marriage ended was no fault of my own, that I can get through all of this and find the healing that I need to make this or any relationship work. I take great comfort in all of that and thrive to get past the smaller problems and work on the future.

One day I hope to be settled down again, with a home that I will make together with the man that I love, and be one big happy family. I guess until then, I will turn to this place, where I can escape. Into my thoughts!

WINNERS!!!

The winners of the Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce are:

Susie @ Susie's Homemade

&

Nikkicrumpet @ Blah, blah, blah blog

Thanks to Random.org for choosing the two winners for me!

Email me ladies so I can get your addresses!

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Al from Country Bob's.

Country Bob's ~ Giveaway

I was recently contacted by a representative for Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce to do a review of their product and offer a giveaway to two of my readers. I am so glad that I agreed to it!

This stuff is amazing! As a working mom, I am always looking for new and tasty recipes that do not especially take much effort or time, but will be something that my girls will love.

I can honestly say, this one was a winner at our house. Not only did I receive two bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, but it came with recipes too!




Here is the recipe I tried first and I will definitely be using again!

Country Bob's Meatloaf

• 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
• 1/4 chopped onion
• 12 saltine crackers, crushed
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 T. Country Bob's Season Salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Combine the ground beef, onion, cracker crumbs, eggs, Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, Country Bob's Season Salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix well. Shape into a loaf and place in baking pan. Spread the desired amount of additional Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce on top of the loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until the loaf is cooked through. Remove the loaf to a serving plate. Let stand for several minutes before slicing. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

I have to tell you I like meatloaf and I have made it before, but this stuff rocks! No lie! It was the best meatloaf I have ever eaten and my kids could not get enough of it. It was definitely a hit and I owe it all to the flavor of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. The taste of it adds a flavor that is not like any other.

Now for the giveaway! Two lucky readers of my blog who comment on this post and are chosen via Random.org, will receive their very own bottle to try! All you have to do is leave me a comment, that is it. The giveaway will be open until Thursday May 14th at Midnight Central Time. The winners will be announced on Friday May 15th. Thanks, now get to commenting!

I am also submitting this post to Tuesday's At The Table over at My Chihuahua Bites! where you can link up your recipes for the week. Go on over and check her out, she has an awesome recipe to share this week!

Softball, Crawfish and Fun! RTT Again!

Is it just me, or does it seem like the weeks just fly by? They say when you are older, the time goes by faster. I must be knocking on about 80 at the rate I am going right now!

Softball is in full swing and I am thankful that only one of my girls plays. Seriously, she has a game every other night and that's about all I can handle. I have to admit, it's fun being a 'softball mom'. We all sit together and chit chat during the games. Good times!

My new flat iron is in. She is a Paul Mitchell and she glides through my hair like it's silk. I love her!

I am having relationship issues. Notice I said I. The time I get with my Sweetie is not sufficient enough for me and I am not happy. Right now he's in Missouri for work and that is alright because well, he's working. We both have children and we are not on the same weekend schedule right now and our time is limited. Not good. There are more issues involved too, but that is for another post.

Mother's Day was bittersweet for me. I miss my mom, so it was a rough day for me and I did not do the tribute post I wanted to because I just couldn't make myself do it. To make matters worse, my girls were with their dad that day. Yes, I know strange situation and he wanted, and offered, to bring them back to me on Sunday but they wanted to stay with him because they rarely see him. Since I did not want to disappoint them, I let them stay. I cried. Then I went to my sister's house and ate more boiled crawfish than a grown man would even fathom. And it made me feel a little better. For about 3.2 seconds.

Tomorrow I have a special little giveaway for not one, but two lucky winners, so be sure and come back and see what it is. I promise if you win, your tummy will thank you!

For more Random Tuesday Thoughts visit the UnMom! She is a hoot!

Musical Monday

This week for Musical Monday, I came up with a rather funny and amusing song. I don't know if this was written as a joke or if in all seriousness, but I find it very entertaining. Theory of A Deadman is not a band I have ever listened to, but I have heard this song a few times on the radio and I had to look it up.

Some of the lyrics are rather explicit, so if the kiddos are around, you may want to turn the volume down a tad, but I guarantee you it is one you will want to hear all of the words to.

5 Minutes For Mom!

It's not too late to get in on the giveaways @ Five Minutes For Mom!

Tanning Time

Every year about this time I go to the tanning bed for a month, just to get that god-awful ,blindingly white look off of my bod. I know it's not good for me and all that jazz, but it's the only thing I really have time for. It takes just a few minutes a day and I don't have to be outside sweating to death while my nosey neighbors try to get a look at me in a bathing suit. With the beds I get fast results and that is what I want.

Today when I went to broil myself for all of 8 minutes (that is only as long as I can go right now until I get past the scorching point) there was a sign on the door saying that because of some Health Ordinance, Law, Nonsense, that we will now be required to clean our own bed after we use it.

At first I was appalled, because firstly, I do not go there to work. Cleaning is not my thing, if you know what I mean. I do enough of it at home. Plus, what the heck else are those lazy wenches behind the counter going to do with all that time on their hands besides clicking up on the computer how long to set my timer to fry me?

As I lay there pondering what the heck was the purpose of this, I started thinking... Not only would I have to clean it after I was done, I would have to clean it before I even start, because what if the person before me is even lazier than me and decides that after their skanky sweaty ass is done baking they don't feel like cleaning it? More work for me, still. Damn!

The price we pay for improving our looks, it never ends!

Can You Tell I Am Not Having A Good Morning?

It's that time again. Tuesday! Random Thoughts. *sigh*

It is only Tuesday and I am tired, so tired. Did not sleep much last night. I was hot and not in a good-looking- actress- who- looks- hot- in -a -bikini sort of way hot. Sweating hot. My daughter has a field trip today and wanted to bring her Mp3 player. I say wanted, because she can't find the darn thing. Uggh! This, the 12 year old child who wants a cell phone and got her Nintendo DS smashed to smithereens. Why am I not surprised? I did not win the trip to the season finale of American Idol. And the lady who did? She did not even sound happy, much less excited. Figures. A giveaway for a Kodak ESP 7 All In One Printer is going on and I know you will all want to enter for it. I did, so run over to I Should Be Folding Laundry and get your name in the hat. And if you win, you can give it to me. Just sayin'. I am going to spend another hundred bucks on a new flat iron. The one I have had now for almost 3 years is starting to pretend it does not want to heat up. It psyches me out and does not light up it's little red light when I turn the switch on and I have to keep shaking it. Not a fun game, especially when it comes to my hair. So, I am getting another one, because I am rich you know, and what's a hundred bucks for the sake of my hair? Hmmph! Well, that is all the time we have today, come by again in the next day or so and I am sure I will have something more worthwhile to share with you!Happy Tuesday!

Musical Monday!

In my lifetime I have loved country music, I've hated it and at some point, I was on the fence with it. My first love in music is Rock -n- Roll. No doubt about it!

However, I enjoy many different genres and country is now one that is included in that list, but only to a few limited artists.

One of my favorites is Keith Urban. I became a fan of his about two years ago and I can not get enough. His newest CD, "Defying Gravity" is awesome, to say the least!

One of the songs included on this CD is called "Sweet Thing" and that is 'what moves me' this week! Enjoy!




During the whole month of May, any entry you have to "Musical Monday" gets you an entry for a chance to win your choice of an iTunes or Amazon gift card. Plus, everyone you send their way, gets extra entries. So go on over and join in the fun and tell them Amy sent you. And then get your readers to join in also.

Online Mag, Anyone?

I would like to introduce you all to an online magazine that I just recently became aware of that is from Eden Fantasies. If you take a look over to your right, on my sidebar, you will see an ad about it. Sexis is a wonderful online mag chock full of interesting articles on Health, Society, Humor and of course, Sex Tips.

Browsing through it, I've found some very interesting articles that caught my eye that I would like to share with you. The first being : Beyond Bromance – Women Getting Off to Guys Getting it On Now this article presents a subject from different perspectives and has you open up your mind to various thoughts. What I mean is, you all know how men just think it is so 'arousing' or 'intriguing' to see two women making out, or what have you. This article discusses how some women enjoy watching men. Together. First of all, I had no clue it was considered "Bromance" that is news to me. I guess I've been living under a rock or looking the other way. Regardless, it is a very interesting and entertaining article, either which way you look at it.

I could browse around at all the articles for days, it is so full of different and interesting subject matter. Another eye-catcher/attention-getter is : Paparazzi, Pop Culture, Sex, & A Modest Proposal. Among many other wonderful articles, I am sure you will find interesting.

Why don't you just take my word and go on over and browse around and come back here and tell me what you think about Sexis ? There is something there for everyone and who couldn't use some new sex ideas? Ahem. Carry on now!

My Awe-Summm Award!

I received this award from Anissa Thanks girly!

I am supposed to list 7 things that make me Awe-Summm!!

Let's seeeeee:

1. My kids are the world to me and I am the best Mother that I know how to be!

2. I take care of my home and what needs to be done around here before myself.

3. I take my job seriously and I love what I do.

4. I am the best friend that I can be, to everyone.

5. I work hard at my photography, because that is something I enjoy.

6. Music is important and enjoyable to me and something I love to share with everyone.

7. I am not 'choosing' only 7 people to pass this on to because I can't, so if you read this, it belongs to you also!